Level 3 Communications

Five-Year Record

Former WorldCommer Crowe and Level 3, which provides high-priced fiber-optic telecommunications networks, happily rode the broadband run-up through the 1990s. But faced with a post-bubble bandwidth glut, Crowe continued to expand his network, taking on more than $6 billion in debt. His new focus on metro service may be too little too late: Never profitable, Level 3 faces mounting losses, and space on its network sells for just cents on the dollar.

*Data from Glass, Lewis & Co. and FactSet Research Systems for five years ending April 6, 2004.FCS

A version of this article appeared in the June 2004 issue of Fast Company magazine.